Thursday, June 30, 2011

The Community Development Department (CDD) of the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) gladdened the hearts of the area people by organizing a three-day book fair in the densely populated Federal-B-Area recently.

The Cultural Wing of the CDD mobilized their resources to bring together the leading publishers and booksellers of the city who responded enthusiastically by displaying their products and offering them at substantial discounts.

As in the past, the three-day book fair at Markaz-e-Ilm-o-Saqafat drew large crowds and people of the locality turned in large numbers. With the summer vacations of the students going on, the parents brought in their kids to pick and choose their favourite story books.

The organizers did a commendable job by building a colourful atmosphere which encouraged people to spend more time leisurely away from the worldly worries. There was plenty of fun for the kids who were kept busy in various competitions that also offered them prizes.

The book fair was inaugurated by famous poet and author, Dr Sehar Ansari, who was highly appreciative of the efforts made by the organizers in facilitating the visitors.

Quite a few other movers and shakers of the literary and cultural scene in Karachi besides educationists also visited the book fair, much to the delight of the organizers as well as the participants.

Arshad Khan, Deputy Director, Cultural Wing, CDD, who has been instrumental in organizing many book fairs and other events, expressed his satisfaction with the response to his latest venture.

The venue, located in the middle of so many apartments, has been used for hosting book fairs in the past as well but the frequency with which it’s needed to be held to cater to the needs of the area people has yet to be found.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The quest for knowledge has led to the creation and accumulation of tremendous amount of information. This quest knows no bounds and limits and one is never satisfied. It has continued since the dawn of civilization to the modern age. This hard-earned knowledge and information is valuable for the entire mankind and therefore it has to be preserved for posterity.

The libraries have been established for the systematic collection, organization, preservation and dissemination of knowledge and information. It is very important preserve and maintain the valuable knowledge and information contained in the books and documents because we want to preserve our knowledge and wisdom for the coming generations.

By preserving the documents in a library this knowledge can be made available to others so that they can benefit from it. The establishment of libraries is not a new concept. The oldest library dates to around 2700 years ago in Sennacherib's Palace in Nineveh which shows how long ago the concept of leaving a piece of your wisdom behind started being formed into the organized collection to preserve the work.

With the advent of new technologies in the field of computers and telecommunications, revolutionary changes have taken place in the field of Library and Information Science. The shape of traditional libraries containing a large number of printed documents is in the process of being transformed to paper less libraries containing a large number of digitized documents. The facilities offered by networking have not left libraries untouched.

Modern libraries are not only digitized but networked also. This has led to the creation of virtual libraries, without walls through which the user has access to information at any time, anywhere in the world by using the modern tools of communications, such as computers and internet facilities.

The new challenges in the field of Library and Information Science can be met by adopting the process of digitization and networking. In the present age the librarians have to face many problems due to the limitations of time and space. User satisfaction is the main objective of a good library. It cannot be achieved without adopting the modern tools and techniques rendered available by the modern technologies available in the field of Information and telecommunication.

These developments have led to the creation of Digital and Virtual Libraries, which have great advantages over the traditional libraries. Therefore, digital libraries are becoming popular due to the advantages and facilities, which are offered by them to their users.

Monday, June 27, 2011

If your tastes run to high-octane suspense/thrillers False Pretenses by Kathy Herman and The Priest’s Graveyard by Ted Dekker are a couple of new bestselling novels in the inspirational market to consider.

In False Pretenses by Kathy Herman, Zoe Broussard loves her life. She owns a thriving Cajun eatery in South Louisiana and is married to the love of her life. One day, out of the blue, she receives a series of anonymous notes that sends her life into a tailspin. Five simple words: “I know what you did.” Unbeknownst to anyone, even Zoe’s husband, Pierce, she has a past — a past she had covered so well she never thought she would have to confront. How could anyone know what she did?

“With its perfectly-paced suspense, Cajun flair, and riveting look at the high price of deceit, Kathy Herman’s False Pretenses is a true page-turner,” Marlo Schalesky, author of Beyond the Night, recommended.

Two abandoned souls are on the hunt for one powerful man in The Priest’s Graveyard by Ted Dekker. Soon their paths will cross and lead to one twisted fate. Danny Hansen is a Bosnian immigrant who came to America with hopes of escaping haunted memories of a tragic war that took his mother’s life.

Now he’s a priest who lives by a law of love and compassion. It is powerful men and hypocrites who abide by legal law but eschew the law of love that most incense Danny. As an avenging angel, he believes it is his duty to show them the error of their ways, at any cost.

One online reviewer wrote about the book: “Reading this book is like being locked in the trunk of a speeding car and trying to figure out where you’re going by tracking the twists and turns the journey takes. Chances are once the car stops and you’re tossed out, you’re nowhere near where you thought you were going.”

With the emphasis on local produce, healthy eating, community gardens, and trips to local farmers’ markets, youngsters are beginning to know that carrots come from the ground rather than plastic packages, that salad greens grow in several varieties, and that making cheese is an art rather than a process of unwrapping an individual package found in the refrigerator.

As young children begin to learn about the world around them, parents can encourage that interest through books, planting some seeds of learning that expand their curiosity.

Young children can find a variety of good eats in Lois Ehlert’s Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z. From apples to zucchini junior foodies get a literary introduction to those foods they may know and some (ugli fruit anyone?) they may not, but the mouth watering bright illustrations might just tempt a taste or two.

Children just beginning to read can begin to see cycle from planting to harvesting with Joan Holub’s The Garden That We Grew. The simple (but not simplistic) rhyming text follows two children as they prepare, tend for, pick, and carve for Halloween their fall pumpkins. And, being good conservationists, they even save the seeds for next year’s crop.

Sharp, clear photographs highlight food’s best friends: Seed Soil Sun: Earth’s Recipe for Food. Clean and pristine, the farming scenes are over romanticized, but the book’s focus on the elements of growth is both scientifically accurate and visually pleasing.

First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew by Robin Gourley is cheerful picture book and its dominant green and brown pallet, concentrates on Michelle Obama’s own kitchen garden and what’s grown there.

The Honeybee Man operates his hives on a rooftop in Brooklyn, New York and generously shares the honey with his neighbors. Besides offering a sweet story, author Lela Nargi and illustrator Kyrstein Brooker add numerous scientific facts about honeybees in an extended author’s note and through careful diagrams on the end pages.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

The 17th Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF), South Korea's oldest and largest book festival, attracted massive crowds throughout five days. It was organized by the Korea Publishers Association at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center in Seoul, bringing in more than 570 publishers from 23 countries.

The presence of numerous Korean and foreign publishers over the course of the five-day event enlivened the proceedings and the bookworms turned up in very large numbers to ensure its success.

This year's book fair was extra special as one of Korea's ancient books marked its one-thousand year anniversary.

Korea's first "Daejanggyeong," or the First Tripitaka Koreana, a complete collection of Buddhist scriptures carved into wood, was made in the 11th century during the ancient Goryeo Dynasty.

While it was not on display, visitors instead saw reproductions of the Jikji, the world's oldest movable metal printing press from the 14th century and the Goryeo Dynasty. Through the exhibition, visitors also glimpsed the past while accessing the newest information.

One of the growing trends in the book market is the e-book. The book fair raised questions about the emerging trend, asking the world's prominent publishers for their opinions, which could change the way books are printed in the future.

The e-book market has drastically increased recently with the development of IT devices, and made up 10 percent of overall trade book revenue last year.

"There are some consumers and some categories of books which will continue in print book form, and others for which it might all turn transition to digital. I think it's too soon to say but it's certainly will. It's going to change the book publishing business and it will change also for consumers as well. They experience differences. It's really a moment of transition," one of the participating publishers reckoned.

The Young Journalists Society (YJS) of the Government College University (GCU), Lahore, organized the launching ceremony of a book on the life and accomplishments of Dr Anwar Nasim, an eminent Old Ravian, a renowned scientist and intellectual, at the Bokhari Auditorium.

The GCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ikram-ul-Haq, presided over the launching ceremony of the book titled “Dr Anwar Nasim – A Versatile Human” which was also attended by the noted biotechnologists and eminent literary figures from all over the country including Asghar Nadeem Syed and Prof. Tabbasum Kashmiri.

The book ‘Dr Anwar Nasim, A Versatile Human’ is a tribute to the literary figure for rendering services in the field of science and literature.

Addressing the ceremony, noted columnist and eminent writer, Asghar Nadeeem Syed brought the literary side of Dr Anwar’s life into a limelight and informed the audience about his everlasting relation of affection, love and studentship with him.

He talked about the professional excellence of Dr Anwar, observing that very few people could boast of so much versatility.

The ceremony was hosted by the YJS of Department of Mass Communication of GCU which provides a platform to students to learn, express and demonstrate their talent through mutual interaction during subsequent sessions of the society.

It also creates opportunities to explore the unknown and to express their views and ideas in the form of report and article writing on various issues.

The seventh edition of the Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF) will be held at the centrally located Karachi Expo Centre from December 16 to 21, 2011.

Although the official website www.kibf.com.pk is still silent about the upcoming event and there’s no word yet from the organizers, it seems certain that there would be no change in the above dates having been announced a year in advance.

The maintenance and updating of websites has remained an issue with many organizations and associations working in Pakistan with the KIBF being no exception.

The KIBF has grown in stature since it was first held in the winter of 2005. The terrific response to the inaugural event had made it evident that it’s going to stay and prosper. So it has happened.

The number of participating countries in 2005 was only three which had gone up to 11 in 2010. The covered area in which the Fair is held has also been doubled inside five years and most significantly the number of visitors has kept enhancing every year.

The KIBF, a non-profit venture, is organized annually by a team of devoted committee members actively involved in the books and publishing industry of the country, under the auspices of the Pakistan Publishers & Booksellers Association. It is supported by the National Book Foundation, an organ of the Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan, and managed by Event and Conference International.

The Book Fair provides an exclusive opportunity to reach out to citizens and book lovers in Pakistan’s largest city and trade hub Karachi. It also provides a platform for international book publishers to meet with Pakistan’s Industry specialists and explore business possibilities in this highly potential market.

This premier event brings together domestic and international publishers, booksellers, librarians and institutional customers. The event provides an excellent opportunity to readers to view and purchase the best of local and international publications.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Urdumanzil.com is acclaimed as one of the leading portals in the language of Urdu, having a worldwide audience. It’s a labour of love of the husband and wife duo of Saghier Ahmed Jafri and Sabiha Saba, who have been residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the last many years.

The ninth anniversary celebration of Urdumanzil.com was held at the Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi on June 23. Quite a few inteleectuals were in attendance who highlighted the contribution of the smiling couple of Saghier Ahmed Jafri and Sabiha Saba. They were lauded for their consistency and courtesy.

Mohammad Ahmed Shah, President, Arts Council of Pakistan, was there in the cake-cutting ceremony alongwith the organizers and promoters. He also delivered a comprehensive speech in which he spoke about the various measures being taken by the Arts Council to promote heritage and culture of the country.

Urdumanzil.com has established a tradition of sorts by holding ceremonies to mark their anniversary. They have been celebrating it with great enthusiasm over the years which goes a long way in further promoting their website.

Renowned Urdu poetess, writer, journalist and Chief Editor of Urdu Manzil, Sabiha Saba, alongwith her energetic husband, Saghier Ahmed Jafri, himself a poet and writer, is credited to have played the pivotal in running the portal and making it a household name in the literary circles.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The publication of a book is a moment every author cherishes. It brings enormous relief besides joys after the months of isolation and hard work. It’s the time to celebrate and many authors do it by organizing a book launch ceremony.

Obviously the established and well-known authors have little problems in getting it done through their publishing houses but it’s a different ball game otherwise.

The launch parties may not actually be a make or break for the book but they do certainly help and it makes sense to mobilize resources to make the ceremony a memorable one for all practical purposes.

Well, first and foremost, media coverage is pretty vital. The local media, particularly FM Radio and television channels, attract bigger fish like sharks around chum, but they might only attend if there’s a story within a story and nothing attracts a story as much as celebrity. If you know one, try to get him or her there somehow. Then there’s the theme.

Then your dress is vitally important. Splash out. Spoil yourself. Go to town. This is the biggest evening of your writing life yet if it’s your debut novel. So live a little, look the part and live the part.

Get someone known or popular to introduce you to the stage and, when you get up on the podium, make it memorable. Dramatic music, a few flashing lights and a little bit of dry ice will make everybody say “do you remember when” even though some will think it tacky.

Another idea is to get some student actors in to re-enact a scene from the book, film it and then place it on your Website via You Tube as a Book Trailer. The students get exposure, your book gets exposure and you get exposure. It’s win-win situation.

Invite your family, relatives, friends and neighbours and everyone else you know to the event. Why? Because most people will feel duty bound to buy a signed copy and be seen with the “star of the show”. You can always fall out with them again the day after.

Finally, like all good parties and celebrations, your launch needs to be organised. In the run up to the event, rehearse everything as though it’s your wedding. Practice the speech, make sure that there are microphones available for your speakers and that any Power Point presentations or videos are clear, precise, visible and audible days before you play them.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The California-based Patricia Fry is acclaimed as a legend in counseling authors in the art of publishing and selling their books. She has also been hailed one of the most well-known writing gurus.

She has been working with other freelance writers and authors for over two decades. She is a literary and manuscript consultant, an editor and a teacher. She can help you write a book with more publishing potential and she can guide you in preparing a more successful book proposal.

She had begun writing for publication in 1973, when her three daughters were teenagers. While raising her girls, supporting them through their graduations, she helped them plan their weddings and welcoming her grandchildren which allowed her to write part-time only. She continued writing at every opportunity even after accepting a full-time job. In 1990, however, she quit her job and began devoting all of her time to her writing career.

By then Fry had two books and hundreds of magazine articles to her credit. Since then, she has published 29 additional books and hundreds more articles. Her articles have appeared in over 300 publications including Writer’s Digest, PMA Independent, Writer’s Journal, The World and I, Entrepreneur, Mature Outlook, Cat Fancy, The Toastmaster, Woman’s Own, Woman’s World, Reminisce, Catholic Digest, Executive Update, Quarter Horse Journal, Kiwanis Magazine, Your Health, Pages, The Artist’s Magazine and many others.

Her published books represent an eclectic mix of subjects, from grand parenting and local history to youth mentoring and even how to present a Hawaiian luau. But her favorite topic remains writing and publishing. Having produced 11 books related to writing and publishing, Patricia’s hallmark title is, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. This book, currently in its second printing, now also features an accompanying workbook.

Monday, June 13, 2011

The 124-page Adab-o-Kutub Khana, compiled by Prof Dr Nasim Fatima, has recently been published by Bazm-e-Akram, a forum of literary giants founded to pay tribute to Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari, one of the founding fathers of Library and Information Science in Pakistan.

Prof Dr Nasim Fatima, who was appointed as the first lady lecturer in the Library and Information Science in Pakistan by Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari in June 1975 and went on to become the first lady chairperson of the department at the University of Karachi, has also been a prolific author and compiler with nearly 40 publications to her credit and still going strong.

Adab-o-Kutub Khana is a unique compilation for it’s a collection of poetry, drama, interviews and essays plus the survey report. It’s quite commendable how so much of high quality reading material has been put together in a matter of one hundred or so pages.

Dr Jamil Jalibi, the most famous of intellectuals in the country, has penned the preface to the book in which he has thrown light on the importance of the language of Urdu whose popularity, he reckoned, continues to grow.

He has lavishly praised the spirit of the students of Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari for according the due respect to their beloved teacher, whom they have been holding in very high esteem throughout their lives.

While introducing the book, Prof Dr Nasim Fatima has recalled her was appointment in the Library and Information Science of Pakistan when by Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari, who proceeded abroad soon afterwards, was heading the department.

Prof Dr Nasim Fatima, who has always spoken and written very highly of Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari, has demonstrated great admiration for her teacher by having a survey conducted about his personality and whose report has been included in Adab-o-Kutub Khana to make it memorable publication.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Kitabain.com, a centralized platform where individual sellers or bookstores can instantly make their inventory available online using our automated system and where buyers can browse for and purchase books put up by numerous booksellers all in one place, has arranged a cash pickup facility for book orders placed in Lahore. Previously this service was available for Karachi only.

The company has recently announced that since this arrangement was with a third party courier, the service might have slightly limited coverage but they were doing their best to make it a permanent feature covering the entire city.

They, however, got off to a head start and collected cash for a quite a few orders right away in Lahore. They have encouraged the Lahore-based bookworms to continue placing orders and the company will make efforts to coordinate payment pickup. The other current payment options like ATM transfers and EasyPaisa also remain available to them.

Continuing with their policy of making available the prestigious titles from the world over they have recently added to their store the famous books like The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht and Empire of the Moghul- Ruler of the World by Alex Rutherford which can also be ordered from the Lahore based bookstore.

Téa Obreht’s first novel, The Tiger’s Wife, has made a significant impact, with reviewers using words like brilliant and spectacular to describe it. Born in 1985 in the former Yugoslavia, the author had spent her childhood in Cyprus and Egypt before eventually immigrating to the United States in 1997. She has been named by The New Yorker as one of the twenty best American fiction writers Under 40 and included in the National Book Foundation’s list of 5 Under 35.